2012 Recipients~

January - Victims Services Unit
The Victim’s Services Unit was organized 3 years ago and is a volunteer unit under the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department. They serve all of Lenawee County as a “go between” during a crisis (such as sudden death, fire, etc.) for the family and the police so law enforcement and EMS can concentrate on doing their jobs. The only money the group receives is from a grant provided by the Michigan Sheriff’s Association for training. In 2010, the Lenawee County unit was “Unit of the Year’ for the state of Michigan. They hope to educate people about their services and recruit more volunteers during their featured Hometown Hope month.

February - Hospice of Lenawee, Inc.      
The Hospice of Lenawee is a community based, independent, only nonprofit hospice in Lenawee County. Their philosophy is for end-of-life care for their patients. Hospice care is available for anyone with any life limiting illness and life expectancy is six months or less.  Having the month on Hometown they hope to get the word about who they are and what services they offer to the community, especially when it comes to dispelling myths. They also hope to educate the community about their building campaign. 

March - Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee
Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee opened their doors in March of 1984 to serve men and women who are in need of help while facing an unplanned pregnancy. They have served thousands of clients over the years, they estimate that by the end of 2011 over 1,900 appointments will be made. They offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion recovery care, parenting education, an "Earn While You Learn" program, Baby Boutique, abstinence education, male mentoring and court ordered supervised parenting time. All of their services are free and confidential, and If they can't help you then they will help you find someone who can. They hope to use their Hometown Hope month to share all they ways they can help their clients and educate the community on all the different programs they offer.

April - Lenawee Emergency and Affordable Housing Corporation (LEAHC)
LEAHC is a grass-roots organization that was founded 1990, incorporated in 1991 and received its 501 (c)(3) documentation in 1994. LEAHC's mission is to advance housing stability and affordable opportunities for low-income people, especially those in crisis or at risk. LEAHC provides four main programs to end or reduce the amount of time families are homeless: Housing First, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, and Permanent Housing. They have served over 1,100 families in need over the past year, helping over 2,400 individuals! They would like to use their Hometown Hope month to ensure that the community understands the many resources LEACH offers and how to access those services.

May - Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County
Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County (HFHLC) is a locally operated affiliate of of Habit for Humanity International, a member in good standing with the State Sponsored Organization - Habitat for Humanity Michigan. HFHLC was established in 1989 by an ecumenical group of people who were interested in reducing sub-standard housing in Lenawee County. HFHLC has constructed 35 new homes, renovated 4 homes and recycled 8 homes providing quality and affordable housing for 47 families in Lenawee County, which breaks down to 69 adults and 150 children. They wish to use their Hometown Hope month to educate the community on the growth of Habitat for Humanity, as well as dispell any misconceptions, let people know how they can get involved and emphasize the ReStore and what it offers.

June - Damascus Road, Inc
Since 2005, Damascus Road has worked with the homeless, jobless, ex-offenders and those in recovery. They are a Christ-based environment which works to eventually return these individuals to the workforce. They have a used furniture ministry that provides household items and furniture to those that are coming out of homelessness as well as a "Warming Area" during the months of November-April. They would like to use their Hometown Hope featured month to educate the community about who they are and all the services they can offer.

July - Lenawee Therapeutic Riding
Lenawee Therapeutic Riding provides horseback riding in a specifically designed program involving the use horses and ponies. Their mission is to enhance the lives of children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral impairments through therapeutic riding. Lenawee Therapeutic Riding started in 1988 with 6 riders and they now serve 30-45 riders. Lenawee Therapeutic Riding is a Premier Accredited Center through PATH International and Michigan State University Proud Equestrians Program. They hope to educate the community about their program and recruit volunteers and horses for their program during their Hometown Hope featured month.

August - Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee
The Boys and Girls Club of Lenawee opened in January 2011 and is dedicated to ensuring that the community’s disadvantaged youth have greater access to quality programs and services that will enhance their lives and shape their future. "The Club" is an afterschool program open Monday-Friday between 3:00-8:00pm, and 9:00am-5:30pm during school breaks. They offer daily access to a broad range of programs in five core areas: Character & Leadership Development, Education & Career Development, Health & Life Skills, The Arts, and Sports, Fitness & Recreation. Over 1,000 boys and girls currently take advantage of their programs. During their Hometown Hope featured month, they would like to educate the community on all the ways they can help our youth.

September - Associated Charities
Associated Charities of Lenawee County is celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2012! They started in December 1912 to care for Lenawee County's needy families. Associated Charities of Lenawee County strives, through the generosity of our community, to meet the basic needs of Lenawee County citizens of all ages, with respect and without judgment.                They are the only charity on Lenawee County that gives everything free to their registered clients. Associated Charities was able to help 1,672 families in 2010 and they average over 65 families a day that meet the federal poverty guidelines. They would like to raise more awareness of all their programs.

October - Homeless Education
Homeless Education has been in existence since 2001. The program is run through Adrian Public Schools, but also serves all homeless students in public schools in Lenawee County. The program is designed to help make sure students remain in school. The number of children identified and served has grown by 100 per year since 2008. Homeless Education will use their month to continue building awareness, tell their stories and promote Pajama Rama.

November - Lenawee Humane Society
The Lenawee Humane Society was founded in 1921. They are a private, non-profit, tax exempt organization dedicated to caring for unwanted animals and providing them with medical care, food and shelter until a home can be found for them. The Lenawee Humane Society relies solely on donations and profits from fundraisers to be able to provide their services. As a Society, they believe that all life should be revered and that all living creatures should be treated with kindness and respect. They do not euthanize except in cases of unrelievable suffering or terminal illness. They would like to use their featured month to make the community more aware of the Lenawee Humane Society, what they do, and their efforts to provide for lost or unwanted pets.

December - Lenawee Great Start
The Lenawee Great Start Parent Coalition is a subgroup of the Great Start Collaborative. Together they are working to connect local early childhood resources, programs and support services into an easily accessible comprehensive system that will boost children’s development so they can start school ‘ready to succeed’. Lenawee Great Start would like to highlight a Diaper Drive during their featured month and would like to remind parents of the importance of proper diaper use for the health and well-being of their child.

2011 Recipients~

January- Lenawee Community Foundation
The Lenawee Community Foundation was organized in the 1950’s as the Tecumseh Community Fund Foundation.  In 1996 the foundation changed its focus to become a true foundation, utilizing the permanent endowment concept.  The name legally changed in 2005.  Last year the Lenawee Community Foundation’s program VOLUNTEER Lenawee! Had 35 annual events, 12 projects serving 8 community partners, created 177 separate volunteer projects, and engaged in over 400 new volunteers.  By having the month on the program, they want to attract and recruit 500 new volunteers for their community partners, bring awareness to their web presence and Health Access Lenawee, promote volunteerism and National Days of Service in Lenawee County.

February- Community Action Agency-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Lenawee County opened the Community Action Agency (CAA) in 1965.  The CAA provides free income tax preparation services to anyone whose household income is $49,000 or less.  This service is part of the IRS sponsored VITA program and is provided by CAA in Lenawee, Hillsdale and Jackson counties.  By having the program for a month, they would like to get the word out to as many people as possible that CAA provides this free service due to the current state of the economy and the high unemployment.  Since WLEN is heard across three counties they believe being a Hometown Hope broadcasting grant recipient would provide local citizens with information which will allow them to save the cost of having their income tax returns prepared and receive all of the money for which they are eligible.

March- Goodwill Industries
Since 1960, Goodwill Industries has provided training and jobs for people with barriers of employment.  With 121 employees and 21 board members they turn your donation into a job for someone in our community.  By having the program for a month, Goodwill wants to educate the public about the needs for donations, how they put people to work, workers on wheels, computer recycling, retail stores, and contract services.

April- Special Olympics
The Special Olympics has had area directors since 1973.  The first summers games was track and field at Adrian College.  Special Olympics international policy is that No athlete or volunteer shall be charged for participation in any sporting event.  There are 269 athletes in the area.  By having a month on the program, they would like raise awareness about their availability to intellectually disabled athletes.  They need volunteers, chaperones, coaches, fund raisers and help with the fundraisers.

May- Lenawee Great Start
The Lenawee Great Start Parent Coalition is a subgroup of the Great Start Collaborative.  Together they are working to connect local early childhood resources, programs and support services into an easily accessible comprehensive system that will boost children’s development so they can start school ‘ready to succeed’.  By having the program for a month, they would like to use this opportunity to reach and inform parents of children 0-5 the importance of setting the foundation for success in school, provide them with a way to connect to local support and resources and remind them, they are their children’s first and most important teacher.

June- Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry
Fishes & Loaves Food Pantry was founded in May, 2010 as a feeding ministry of Lenawee County Mission.  They currently have 1 manager and 15 consistent volunteers.  As of November 30^th, they are serving over 700 households and over 2400 unduplicated people.  The ministry is supported by churches of all types.  By having the program for a month, they want to let the community know that the need is growing from 11/22-12/3, they sign up 3 to 5 families a day.

July- Habitat of Humanity of Lenawee County
Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County (HFHLC) was formed in 1989 as an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.  They have constructed 35 homes, with quality and affordable housing for over 69 adults and 150 children in Lenawee County.  This is their 11^th year for their major fundraiser. The Great Pasty and (new this year) Pasta project, for the first time HFHFLC is offering frozen pasta dinners of macaroni and cheese, vegetarian lasagna and meat lasagna, as well as the traditional meat pasty and vegetarian pasty. By having the program for a month, they would like to make people aware of some of their exciting programs and directions Habitat of Lenawee is taking.  They would like to share their vision of hope for simple decent affordable housing for everyone in need and how Lenawee County residents can work together to make it a reality. To let everyone know how wonderful pasties are to eat and even more fun to join with friends to make them. 

August- Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee
Opening in January of 2001, the Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee is dedicated to ensuring that their community’s disadvantaged youngsters have greater access to quality programs and services that will enhance their lives and shape their futures.  Today, over 1,000 boys and girls are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services that are provided.   The Boys and Girls Club is open every week day, year round.  By having the program for a month, they would like to promote the opening of our new Club facility in the Adrian Middle School and encourage more youth to take part in life enhancing programs in the hours outside school.  This renovation will allow the Club to double their capacity and serve 200 young people daily in a dedicated and secure facility.  The location will allow them to utilize the school’s existing gym, cafeteria, and computer labs.  A Wii-fitness room will also be added and shared by the school and Club. 

September- Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties
1958, a group of people representing St. Mary’s and St. Josephs’ parishes in Adrian approached the late Cardinal Edward Mooney about the need for a counseling agency to serve low income families in Lenawee County.  Since they have opened a Foster Care program and on July 1, 2010 they merged with Catholic charities of Jackson to become Catholic Charities of Jackson, Hillsdale and Lenawee Counties.  They serve anyone regardless of faith or ability to pay.  By having the program for a month, they would like to take advantage of this opportunity to inform the community about all of the services we provide to Lenawee County including increasing awareness about their counseling program; recruitment of foster homes, adoptive parents, and mentor homes for their Roadmap program.

October- HOPE Community Center
HOPE was established right here in Lenawee County in 1976.  They offer vital services to adults with disabilities, especially those with developmental disabilities.  HOPE has its own facility behind Pizza Hit on M-52.   They have approximately 400 HOPE members and about 100 served weekly.  HOPE offers Disability Sensitivity Workshops free of charge to schools, businesses, and other groups.  By having the program for a month, they would like to raise awareness about the Reunion Benefit Concert for HOPE, as well as to boost their awareness of existence in Lenawee County.  They are also looking for more volunteers and revenue. 

November- Family Counseling and Children’s Services- Foster Care and Adoption Program
Family Counseling and Children’s Services of Lenawee County has been in operation in this community since 1961.  For 50 years, their private, non-denominational non-profit charity has been provided much needed social services to Lenawee County residents.  By having the program for a month, they would like to increase awareness regarding the plight of children in the foster care and adoption systems in an effort to improve their lives in school, in their neighborhoods and in their large communities.  Additionally, they would like to encourage individuals and families in Lenawee County to consider opening their hearts and homes to children in foster care or children awaiting adoption.

December- Inter-Connections
Inter-Connections is a Drop-In Center that has been in operation since 1992.  Drop-In Centers are an important asset in mental health.  They provide a safe and supportive environment within the community for individuals who have experienced or are experiencing mental and/or emotional problems.  Mental health clients can come to relax, talk with other clients or staff, or take advantage of some of their audiovisual equipment (Wii, DVDs, etc.).  By having the program for a month, they would like to make their program more appealing to 18-30 year-olds and increase their accessibility to their Center.  They would like to broaden their lending library and further educate the community about mental illness.  They would use any grants and donations to reduce stigma and advocate for individuals with mental illness.  They would also like to expand their efforts to help the families of individuals with mental illness.